North Edinburgh Community Grows community garden lands top civic prize
Two Civic Champions honoured
North Edinburgh Grows, a community garden design for North Edinburgh Arts has won the top prize in the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards.

The prize was presented by Marco Biagi, MSP, Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment at a special ceremony at The Lighthouse on 26 March.

Nominated by North Edinburgh Arts, and designed by Anta Architects and lying at the centre of the physical environment of Muirhouse the North Edinburgh Grows project has provided a place to create, recycle, try out new ideas, grow, read, rest and play.

The judges said about the project:

 

“The North Edinburgh Grows project is both inspiring and humbling.  In the face of many challenges the designers, client and local community have transformed an unloved bit of land into a remarkable resource for local residents and visitors.   It is exactly the sort of project which the My Place Awards were set up to acknowledge – inventive, playful, life-enhancing and civic-minded.  It is a worth winner.”

 

The joint winners of the Scottish Civic Trust Civic Champion category were also presented.   They are John Dods, nominated by the Cramond Association for his outstanding contribution to the natural history and heritage of Cramond and Ann Laird, nominated by Dennistoun Conservation Society for his campaigning to protect and improve Glasgow’s West End.

 

The judges said about John Dods:

“John is a remarkable authority in many areas.   The breadth of his knowledge and the scope of his achievement in terms of promoting and preserving local heritage and advocating for better places and engaging communities is second to none.   His commitment to Cramond and its communities is inspiring and second to none.”

 

The judges said about Ann Laird:

“Ann’s contribution to the heritage and history of Glasgow is remarkable.  Over many years she has shown herself to be a force of nature when it comes to celebrating and promoting community participation in design, planning and placemaking.   She is, in every sense, a tireless campaigner for the betterment of the city and her legacy will be long-lasting.”

 

The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards is a unique scheme in Scotland that celebrates good local design, conservation, placemaking and civic prided as nominated by local people.   They are supported by the Scottish Government.

 

Marco Biagi, MSP, Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment said:

“The My Place Awards celebrate places which are delivering positive benefits in their communities.   Through the Civic Champion award it is great to see individual people recognised for their efforts improving the quality of Scotland’s places.”

 

The judges’ decisions were based on a set of criteria:

  • Design/Build Quality
  • Community Involvement
  • Overcoming Obstacles.

This year SCT received 18 nominations for our project category and a record breaking 9 Civic Champion nominations.

 

My Place Awards Winners:
My Place Awards Civic Champion Joint Winners: Ann Laird and John Dods
My Place Awards Project winner: North Edinburgh Grows
My Place Awards Project Highly Commended Projects: Clearburn Natural Play & Picnic Area, Saint Ninian’s Hall Development.
My Place Awards Project Commended Projects: Grand Fountain Restoration, Paisley, Martyrs Kirk Research Library, Lanark Memorial Hall.
For more information on the My Place Awards winners visit our My Place Awards winners showcase http://www.scottishcivictrust.org.uk/news/my-place-awards-winners-2015/

For more information on the individual projects and Civic Champions visit our online gallery http://www.myplaceawards.org.uk/galleries.aspx

All nominated projects, Civic Champions and winners outcomes will be available to view at a specially designed exhibition at The Lighthouse, from 27 March to 6 May 2015.
For more information on the My Place 2015 exhibition visit our online event page http://www.scottishcivictrust.org.uk/events/my-place-exhibition-2015/

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X